Ignition Timing Procedure - Method 3?

[VenCountyQ]

The FSM for the 94Q lists 3 methods for connecting the inductive pick-up during a timing check.

Method 1) Use SST hooked up between the power transistor and the ignition coil harness

Method 2) In-line a sparkplug wire between #1 ignition coil and it's spark plug.

Method 3) Use connector/wire check thingy hanging near power transistor that can be found on maybe left or right

My questions are:

1) Has anyone successfully used method #3?

2) I see frequent discussion of methods #1 and #2 in threads. If method #3 works, why isn't it the predominate method as it seems to be simplest ( no connectors to undo, etc... )?

[elwesso]

It probably requires a special do-whoppy in order to do it........

[sijoko]

Method 3 is great if your car has the wire on the pass. side. I am not sure if all Q45's have this setup.

I use it to check timing on my 94 Q.

Real easy.

[VenCountyQ]

Thanks sijoko, I found the connector on the passenger side and it worked great. Beats removing an ignition coil or $200 for a SST. The wire might be part of an ignition confirmation circuit that feeds back to the ECU.

[elwesso]

How does one go about checking it??? Ive done a search, and I didnt really find anything........

[VenCountyQ]

You simply look for a bracket attached to the power transistor on the passenger side of the engine. This bracket secures 1 or 2 small connectors. Look for the connector with a single wire ( the top one on my 94Q ). Clip the inductive pickup around this wire. I don't think it matters which side of the connector, but I clipped onto the side pointing at the radiator. Run your timing light as you normally would.

This procedure is in the FSM, but it falls short of identifying the connector explicitly. The FSM also doesn't make explicit mention of any procedures required to eliminate ECU advance/retard adjustments in order to ensure one is measuring base ignition timing. Typically one has to use a jumper on an identified check connector or disconnect some connector. Because the FSM didn't explicitly identify the need for this I simply made sure the engine was at operating temperature, idling and the AT in neutral. The timing mark read 14-15 degrees BTDC.

There is mention of a check connector near the firewall in order to connect a tachometer during a timing check, but the FSM says nothing about needing to use this to ensure base ignition timing is in effect. I have seen mention in a TSB about disconnecting the throttle position sensor when setting idle speed/timing. I also remember Q45Tech mention disconnecting something on the IACC when checking timing. So I am still slightly uneasy about whether I was truly measuring base ignition timing, but the timing mark was steady and at the correct setting when I did my measurements. If the engine is making advance/retard adjustments you will sometimes see the timing mark fluttering.

[elwesso]

I dont even know how to use a timing light to begin with........ :oface:

[VenCountyQ]

It's actually kinda fun. The timing light has a positive and negative clamp that you hook up to your battery terminals (preferably with the engine off) and an inductive pickup that clamps onto the #1 sparkplug wire or special wire in our case. You then start the engine, point the timing light at the crank flywheel (beneath the pulley that the alternator, p/s and a/c belts are connected to) and pull the trigger. The light strobes once for each firing of the sparkplug and illuminates the timing marks on the flywheel which line-up with a small pointer. 5 degrees BTDC for each mark left to right with the left-most mark being a different color, I think.

[elwesso]

So Im not gonna need any special tools for this, am I......?

My relatives marina has all that kind of stuff...... They mainly work on Small block chevys, fords, and chryslers..... Anything special needed for the Q??

[VenCountyQ]

As long as you can locate that wire and you have access to a timing light you should be set.

[elwesso]

Beautiful!! I may have to check that out!!!